Turkey got zero friends instead of zero problems: Turkish expert

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: During the last week the Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoğlu stated to the Turkish media that the normalization of the Armenia-Turkish relations is on the agenda of the Turkish foreign policy. On December 12 the 29th session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation will be held in Yerevan, to which Davutoğlu is also invited. Armenpress presents the viewpoints and evaluation of the Turkish expert Hakob Zakryan about the Armenian-Turkish relations and Davutoğlu’s visit.

- Mr. Zakryan, is the issue of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations on the agenda of the Turkish foreign policy, like five years ago, when the “football diplomacy” started?

- The Armenian-Turkish relations are not a prior issue for Turkey. The situation in the region is tensed. Because of the Syrian crisis, Turkey worsened its relations with the neighbors – Syria, Iran and Iraq. Davutoğlu’s policy to zero the problems with the neighbors brought to a situation, when Turkey has got zero friends. The situation in the region is not suitable for the activation of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

- In this case how would you evaluate the statements of Davutoğlu that the Armenian-Turkish relations are on the agenda of the Turkish foreign policy?

- These are just statements. Before the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols Davutoğlu stated that Turkey would not open the Armenian-Turkish border. Two days after the signing he stated that by the New Year the Armenian-Turkish border will be open. Thus, Davutoğlu’s statements should not be taken seriously.

- If the Foreign Minister of Turkey visits Yerevan on December 21 it will be just an agenda visit to participate the 29th session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of the Black Sea EconomicCooperation.

- Turkey is one of the founding members of the BSEC. Davutoğlu’s visit to Yerevan would not mean that Turkey will try to activate the Armenian-Turkish relations. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interviewed by Hasmik Harutyunyan